RECORDS when 2,000 nervous school-leavers from across the county picked up their GCSE exam results this year.

The county continues to boast a number of high-achieving students who are set to continue their studies in further education.

Nationally, the proportion of GCSEs awarded a C or higher rose this year but English results saw a dramatic fall.

But in Herefordshire there were plenty of success stories – despite a warning issued by exam regulator Ofqual that there was likely to be “variability in results because of changes to the GCSE qualification".

Changes included placing more emphasis on the final exam rather than being assessed periodically.

In Herefordshire, provisional figures show that young people have had increased success in obtaining five A* to C GCSE – or equivalent – including English and mathematics.

The results indicate that 68.7 per cent of students have achieved five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade A* to C, with 59 per cent gaining five A* to C GCSE (or equivalent) including English and mathematics.

It is an improvement on 2013’s results.

Councillor Jeremy Millar, cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing, said: “The county’s students have once again achieved good GCSE results and I am delighted with their success.

“I would like to congratulate the students, parents and schools for their continued hard work, which has clearly paid off. I wish our students the best of luck in their future endeavours whether they decide on further education, training courses or employment.”